What is the primary goal of reconstruction? Reunification, punishment, civil rights, other? (Thesis)
The primary goal of reconstruction is reunification of the country while making sure African Americans can live peacefully where they choose. Without this you cannot institute further reconstruction ideals.
What should be done to the ex-Confederates?
The ex-confederates, having attempted “suicide” in many ways, will be justly stripped of citizenship to the country which they fought to tear apart. However to promote a quicker reunification process, ex-confederates will have the ability to apply for citizenship fairly easily. Effective immediately, the application process will include an oath to abide by the Union laws among other simple requirements. This potential to obtain citizenship will not be granted to the higher ranking officials and politicians of the Confederacy. These people will be put on trial for treason, facing fines, jail time, or even deportation. Regardless, they will never be granted possibility for citizenship and therefore never hold any political positions. Meanwhile, Union soldiers will be sent to maintain control in South and administer justice when necessary and possible, especially towards crimes against the newly freed slaves.
What should be done for the freedmen?
The Freedmen's Bureau will be in place, funded by the selling of confiscated or abandoned land in the south or perhaps in the future from resources harvested from newly attained Alaska, to supply newly freed slaves with basic supplies as well as free schooling (to be provided in the south by northern teachers). Much of the confiscated land will be redistributed to freed slaves as effectively as possible. Amendments will be passed to ensure their civil rights including the right to vote. That said, freedmen must first be literate to exercise this right or aim to hold office. Union soldiers will remain south to provide a sense of safety from racial violence. They will remain there till these violent acts begin to subside.
Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments?
In the new Southern state governments, only certain people should be able to hold office. There are two important regulations the states will have to follow. Anyone who was ranked a lieutenant or above, will not be able to vote or hold office. They were too closely consumed with the ideals of the Confederacy. Letting them hold office could only bring our country back into another war. All white male southerns will be able to vote once passing a simple citizenship test. Also, people who are illiterate will not be able to vote. Although this is primarily targeting the African Americans, as mentioned before, they will be involved in education classes, so they will be able to vote in the future.
What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation?
In order for a state to be readmitted into the union, 20% of a part of the state in rebellion must vote to formally agree to allegiance to the union and the 13th amendment. The state will then have a 3 year probation period where they must continue to show their allegiance to the union. No aspects of rebellion or neglection of the new amendments will be tolerated. After the three year probation period, 40% of the state must again vote to formally agree to the same conditions as before; allegiance to the union and the 13th amendments. The state will then be granted full admission back into the United States of America. They will have representation in Congress and the Senate. African American males will have voting rights once they prove literacy.
How should the Southern economy be restored?
The first step to rebuild the south would be to fix the railroad system. This will be able to create new jobs for the people of the south. By imposing a railway system the south will be able to create new industries (textile mills) and reinstate a way to satisfy the demand of a product. In order to create the demanded product, the south will be helped in re-establishing their most seeked crop: cotton. Although prices for cotton have lowered, cotton is still a desired crop. As a starting point letting the south continue planting cotton till they become more stable and another option is introduced. Other needed crops may begin to surge as the development of the refrigerated railroad car and now fresh produce can now be dispersed. The way to bring the south back would be to bring back their prosperous source of agriculture. The new labor force will be sharecropping, under a legal contract where fair measures will be taken to account, and be presented to the military stations, where they will be enforced.
What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South?
Of course reunification is the ultimate goal at hand, but peacefully living will not come overnight. Union troops should be used to maintain order in the South, not to be confused as punishment. The primary notion is for the troops to impose a sense of authority. They will have few locations made in every city. They will patrol around the cities, to remind the Southerns that neglect to the new changes will not be tolerated. Under any crime to a citizen (no matter race or color) action will be taken under the current legal system.
Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis re-stated)
The primary goal of reconstruction is reunification of the country while making sure African Americans can live peacefully where they choose. Without this you cannot institute further reconstruction ideals.
Analysis of "opposition" group: Shaq's Daughter
PROS
CONS
1. Four years of schooling required to vote.
1. The higher ex-Confederates will be imprisoned or exiled.
2. business with those in Southern states will be offered tax incentives.
2. All land that was confiscated or abandoned during the war will be divided up and given to former slaves
3. They should stay until 1880 or until Congress deems it safe for the freedmen, whichever comes first.
3. Northern entrepreneurs are encouraged to open up operations in the South
4. Union troops will be sent into the Southern military zones
PROS:
1. Requiring 4 years of schooling to vote is very beneficial, because it allows for the African Americans to be motivated to learn, and creates an educated population.
2. Offering a tax incentive is a good way to motivate the wealthy North to help created an economy in the South.
3. One of the major complaints of what actually happened in history, is that they removed the troops in the South too quickly, and the African Americans felt betrayed. By extending the time interval, that gives the African Americans a greater chance to establish themselves.
CONS:
1. Imprisioning ex-Confederates will not lead to reconstruction, because the Southerners view those generals as idols and will feel betrayed.
2. Taking land from white Southerners will further lead to anger. They already lost billions of dollars from investment to the slave trade, and taking their land will only make matters worse.
3. The bottom-line is that no Northerner in their right mind will want to invest in the South which has been physically destroyed, and has erupted in chaos and violence.
4. Sending Union troops will upset the Unionists, because they are tired of fighting and want to go home.
What is the primary goal of reconstruction? Reunification, punishment, civil rights, other? (Thesis)
The primary goal of reconstruction is reunification of the country while making sure African Americans can live peacefully where they choose. Without this you cannot institute further reconstruction ideals.What should be done to the ex-Confederates?
The ex-confederates, having attempted “suicide” in many ways, will be justly stripped of citizenship to the country which they fought to tear apart. However to promote a quicker reunification process, ex-confederates will have the ability to apply for citizenship fairly easily. Effective immediately, the application process will include an oath to abide by the Union laws among other simple requirements. This potential to obtain citizenship will not be granted to the higher ranking officials and politicians of the Confederacy. These people will be put on trial for treason, facing fines, jail time, or even deportation. Regardless, they will never be granted possibility for citizenship and therefore never hold any political positions. Meanwhile, Union soldiers will be sent to maintain control in South and administer justice when necessary and possible, especially towards crimes against the newly freed slaves.What should be done for the freedmen?
The Freedmen's Bureau will be in place, funded by the selling of confiscated or abandoned land in the south or perhaps in the future from resources harvested from newly attained Alaska, to supply newly freed slaves with basic supplies as well as free schooling (to be provided in the south by northern teachers). Much of the confiscated land will be redistributed to freed slaves as effectively as possible. Amendments will be passed to ensure their civil rights including the right to vote. That said, freedmen must first be literate to exercise this right or aim to hold office. Union soldiers will remain south to provide a sense of safety from racial violence. They will remain there till these violent acts begin to subside.Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments?
In the new Southern state governments, only certain people should be able to hold office. There are two important regulations the states will have to follow. Anyone who was ranked a lieutenant or above, will not be able to vote or hold office. They were too closely consumed with the ideals of the Confederacy. Letting them hold office could only bring our country back into another war. All white male southerns will be able to vote once passing a simple citizenship test. Also, people who are illiterate will not be able to vote. Although this is primarily targeting the African Americans, as mentioned before, they will be involved in education classes, so they will be able to vote in the future.What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation?
In order for a state to be readmitted into the union, 20% of a part of the state in rebellion must vote to formally agree to allegiance to the union and the 13th amendment. The state will then have a 3 year probation period where they must continue to show their allegiance to the union. No aspects of rebellion or neglection of the new amendments will be tolerated. After the three year probation period, 40% of the state must again vote to formally agree to the same conditions as before; allegiance to the union and the 13th amendments. The state will then be granted full admission back into the United States of America. They will have representation in Congress and the Senate. African American males will have voting rights once they prove literacy.How should the Southern economy be restored?
The first step to rebuild the south would be to fix the railroad system. This will be able to create new jobs for the people of the south. By imposing a railway system the south will be able to create new industries (textile mills) and reinstate a way to satisfy the demand of a product. In order to create the demanded product, the south will be helped in re-establishing their most seeked crop: cotton. Although prices for cotton have lowered, cotton is still a desired crop. As a starting point letting the south continue planting cotton till they become more stable and another option is introduced. Other needed crops may begin to surge as the development of the refrigerated railroad car and now fresh produce can now be dispersed. The way to bring the south back would be to bring back their prosperous source of agriculture. The new labor force will be sharecropping, under a legal contract where fair measures will be taken to account, and be presented to the military stations, where they will be enforced.What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South?
Of course reunification is the ultimate goal at hand, but peacefully living will not come overnight. Union troops should be used to maintain order in the South, not to be confused as punishment. The primary notion is for the troops to impose a sense of authority. They will have few locations made in every city. They will patrol around the cities, to remind the Southerns that neglect to the new changes will not be tolerated. Under any crime to a citizen (no matter race or color) action will be taken under the current legal system.Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis re-stated)
The primary goal of reconstruction is reunification of the country while making sure African Americans can live peacefully where they choose. Without this you cannot institute further reconstruction ideals.
Analysis of "opposition" group: Shaq's Daughter
PROS:
1. Requiring 4 years of schooling to vote is very beneficial, because it allows for the African Americans to be motivated to learn, and creates an educated population.
2. Offering a tax incentive is a good way to motivate the wealthy North to help created an economy in the South.
3. One of the major complaints of what actually happened in history, is that they removed the troops in the South too quickly, and the African Americans felt betrayed. By extending the time interval, that gives the African Americans a greater chance to establish themselves.
CONS:
1. Imprisioning ex-Confederates will not lead to reconstruction, because the Southerners view those generals as idols and will feel betrayed.
2. Taking land from white Southerners will further lead to anger. They already lost billions of dollars from investment to the slave trade, and taking their land will only make matters worse.
3. The bottom-line is that no Northerner in their right mind will want to invest in the South which has been physically destroyed, and has erupted in chaos and violence.
4. Sending Union troops will upset the Unionists, because they are tired of fighting and want to go home.